Abthub j



(No Model.)

A. J. MOXHAM.

FOR GIRDER R P &

UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE.

ARTHUR J. 'MOXHAM, OF JOHNSTOVN, PENNSYLVANIA.

POCKET-FILLING DEVICE FOR GlRDER-RAILS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,654, dated August 2, 1887.

Application filed March 11, 1887. Serial No. 230,564. (No model.)

and accompanying drawings.

The object of this invention is to provide a cheap filling for the side pockets of girderrails, and thus to furnish a facing to which the A ordinary or regular paving blocks or stones of the street may be set, which facing will pre vent said paving from entering said pockets in case ofsettling down, or when said blocks or stones'sh all be worn down below the side trams of the rails.

The invention consists of a closing blockpiece. either skeleton or solid, shaped to fill up the side pockets of the rail and form a flush or smooth vertical face for the pavingstones to abut and hold securely in place, as hereinafter particularly described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a center bearing-rail, A, in crosssection, mounted on a boxchair, 13, spiked to a cross-tie, O.

The letters I) indicate regular-shaped paving-blocl s set as in the road-bed or street, and

abutting and facing the pocket block-pieces D and E, fitted into each side pocket of the rail A.

One of the block-pieces D is shown detached and in perspective in Fig. 2. Said block-piece is of molded material--such as brick or blastfurnace slag-made in a short, solid piece.

Fig. 3 shows a longer piece, molded like piece D, except in greater lengths, and provided with projections or abutments e, which fit into the side pockets of the rail on the inner sides of the blocks, and thus, while presenting a smooth face on the outside, effect a saving of material over a solid block.

In Fig. 4. is shown a still further modification of the form and character of the blockpiece or-filling-picce (indicated by the letters G) within the pockets of the side bearingrail, I. The other letters on said figure indicate like parts similarly lettered in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Said block-pieces G are made of plate metal, shaped as shown in plan in Fig. 6, and

are bent, as shown-on edge in Fig. 5, before insertion into the pockets of the rail, as seen in Fig. 4. A smooth or flush face is thus presented, as in the other cases, to the street-paving blocks Z), by the metal box pieces or skeleton blocks G.

This invention cheapens considerably the cost of paving the road-bed proper. In many places, while the ordinary street-paving stones are easily obtainable and cheap it is nevertheless quite costly to obtain paving-blocks that are specially shaped for properly filling the pockets of the girder-rails of the railroadtrack in such street. In such cases, instead of purchasing specially-made entire blocks shaped on one side to fit into the railpockets, the pockets can be filled with pieces of any of the forms hereinbefore described, specially made to fill up or cover only the pockets, and the rest of the paving can be laid with the cheaper regular paving blocks or stones at command.

In case of shipment ofthe metal block-pieces to distantpoints from the center of their manufacture, the saving in freight dueto theirlesser weight will largely exceed their greater original cost over the molded brick-pieces of greater weight.

I am aware that paving-blocks formed on one side to fit into the side pockets of girder rails, as shown in Patent No. 360,780, issued April 5, 1887, have been heretofore proposed, and such I do not herein claim; but

As of my invention, I claim- 1. A pocket-closing block-piece shaped to close the side pockets of girder-rails and made substantially as described, whereby a facing to the pockets is provided for the support of the strect-paving, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the paving of astreet or road-bed having a railroad-track of girder rails therein laid, filling-block pieces closing the side pockets of said rails and forming facings for supporting the pressureof said paving, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ARTHUR J. MOXHAM.

lVitnesses:

ROBT. W. WELcn, WM. F. SMITH. 

